Princess Shyla has arrived! Yeah, the much awaited day is here. The Doctor had told Mommy almost 4 weeks before my due date that I might come into this world early (as I was resting quite low, Mommy was already dilated and I appeared to be a chubby baby). But I had different plans – I arrived 5 days past my due date (July 20, 2007). I am a Leo after all and don’t all under this zodiac have a mind of their own 
The Days Preceding My Arrival
Naani and Naanu flew in to Seattle on the 11th of July. After recovering from their jet-lag, which took about 2 days, Naani was ready to see me! She kept telling me (while I was still inside Mommy’s tummy) to come out soon. Kritika Masi also flew in on the 19th of July so that she could pamper her niece (yeah, that’s me!!!). Once the 20th was over, Daddy had his IM message read, “The due date is here, but the baby is not 
. Everybody was really waiting to welcome me!
Mommy finally went into labor on the afternoon of the 23rd, and everybody at home got really excited. She called up Daddy at work and asked him to come home. Daddy excitedly announced in his office, “It is time!” and came running home (ok, not literally). But when I still wasn’t out by the evening of the 24th, Kritika Masi got anxious …you see, she was returning to D.C by the 7 a.m. flight on the 25th. She decided she didn’t want to take a chance and booked another ticket to return on the 28th of July. Good for her, as Mommy was rushed to the hospital at 5 a.m. on the 25th – the exact same time that Masi would have left for the airport to take her flight! 
Mommy and Daddy were instructed to go to the hospital once Mommy’s contractions were regular and 5 minutes apart. Mommy’s contractions got stronger gradually as the hours went by. Both Mommy and Daddy hadn’t slept the night of the 23rd. By the evening of the 24th, Mommy was completely exhausted! The contractions were so painful that she could hardly talk. To keep her distracted, Naani, Naanu, Daddy and Kitty Masi played cards with her, put on her favorite music and watched a movie. Naani and Masi also gave Mommy a relaxing massage. :”>
To cheer up Mommy, Daddy got Mommy’s favorite cuisine (Indo-Chinese) from Bamboo Garden – that seemed to have done the trick in getting me out . 
The Day of My Arrival
Mommy could hardly get any sleep and Daddy was up with her too helping her keep a check on her contractions. At 3:00 a.m., hunger stuck Mommy again and she headed straight for the left-over Indo-Chinese dinner. It is said that spicy food helps induce labor, and did that hold true or what! At around 4:30 a.m., Mommy knew, without a doubt, that it was time to rush to the hospital! Daddy woke up Naani, Naanu and Masi and called up the hospital to tell them we were on our way.
Mommy was checked in at 5:15 a.m. After strapping a whole bunch of things on Mommy to monitor how I was doing, the nurse suggested that both Mommy and Daddy take a nap to prepare for the busy day ahead 
Naani, Naanu and Kritika Masi went back home to cook lunch and prepare for my grand entry! When it was time to push, Chhavi Masi brought them to the hospital…having her around was such a big help. Naani was in the room with Daddy and Mommy while Naanu, Chhavi Masi and Kritika Masi waited in the lounge. Daddy was holding Mommy’s hand the entire time and was encouraging and supporting her (Mommy says Daddy did an excellent job!).
As soon as I was born, Daddy went running outside, pumping his fists in the air, to give Naanu and Masi the good news <
He was on cloud nine! Naanu celebrated by distributing sweets (that Vinod Mausa brought). Vinod Mausa also got some samosas to celebrate the occasion. Daddy then called up Daadi and Ritu Bua to share the news of my arrival. Daddy also managed to take couple of photos of me using his cell phone. Very soon, Daddy was busy making phone calls and sharing my photos with the rest of the world Also, eagerly awaiting my arrival were Sikka Bade Naanu and Badi Naani along with Kareena. They all were very delighted to see me in person after having waited for nine months.
Among friends, Nilesh Uncle and Aloka Aunty were the first people to find out that Mommy was in labor. They were at the hospital to meet another friend of theirs who had had a baby, and just decided to check on how Mommy was doing. They called home and found out that Mommy was already in the hospital 
! Sikka Badi Naani, Bade Naanu and Kareena arrived a few minutes before I was born. We had a lot of visitors at 6 p.m. Cheryl Aunty and Nathan Uncle were the first to arrive and brought a lovely pink and blue Ghagra Choli for me 
!!! How adorable! Saurabh Uncle and Shweta Aunty were the next to arrive. They got Mommy a dozen beautiful pink roses . Nisha Aunty and Dharmesh Uncle came along with Aloka Aunty and Nilesh Uncle. Nisha Aunty and Dharmesh Uncle got me a lovely layette set and Aloka Aunty and Nilesh Uncle got me a lovely outfit for me ! Aloka Aunty also got some sabudana kheer for Mommy (which she relished!). We forgot to take photos of this group in all the excitement . Oh what fun!
